West Indies vs India ODI: Sammy Chases First Win in 24 Years

Coach Daren Sammy says the three‑match series, starting in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, is a chance to end a 24‑year winless streak in India.

“It’s been 24 years. We’ve not won a series here in India,” West Indies coach Daren Sammy told reporters ahead of the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27. The Caribbean side will face the world’s No. 1 team in a three‑match set‑up that also includes Guwahati on September 30 and New Chandigarh on October 3.

The schedule gives the Windies a rare chance to test themselves in the sub‑continent’s varied conditions – a green‑top in Kerala, a seamer‑friendly pitch in Assam and a hard, flat surface in the new Chandigarh venue. For a team that missed automatic qualification in the current ODI cycle, every run matters.

Sammy reminded everyone that the series is more than a trophy chase. “Playing in India is always a great series to take part in. India being the number one team,” he said, adding that the tour will show exactly where the West Indies stand on the world stage.

India’s dominance is clear, but the Caribbean outfit has closed the gap lately. They fell six points short of automatic World Cup qualification and now face a qualifying tournament next February. Sammy believes the Indian leg will help fine‑tune the squad before that crunch.

Batting, once a glaring weakness, has shown depth. Shai Hope continues to anchor the line‑up, while Keacy Carty has emerged as a reliable partner. Sammy highlighted that “our batting has come a long way during this period” and that multiple players have posted hundreds, not just the usual names.

The pace attack also gets a boost. Alzarri Joseph, fresh from Antigua’s CPL triumph, returns to the side, and young all‑rounder Jewel Andrew is set for his debut after Ackeem Auguste’s surgery‑induced absence. Veteran John Campbell, who missed New Zealand’s last two ODIs with a hamstring issue, is back in the XI.

Some senior faces are being rested strategically. Shimron Hetmyer, a regular in the limited‑overs set‑up, will sit out the ODIs and rejoin for the subsequent T20I series, which runs from October 6 to 17 across Lucknow, Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

For the West Indies, the stakes are clear: a win in India would end a quarter‑century of series defeats on the sub‑continent and give the squad a morale boost ahead of the qualifiers. For India, it’s another chance to reinforce their top‑rank status at home.

Fans will be watching not just the result but the individual battles – Hope versus India’s top order, Joseph’s swing on Indian pitches, and whether the young talent can handle the pressure of a historic chase.

The series kicks off on a Thursday evening in Thiruvananthapuram, and the cricketing world will be glued to the action. If the Windies can pull off a win, it could reshape their ODI narrative before the February qualifiers. If not, the drought continues, and the focus will shift to the T20I leg where the same players will look for redemption.

Either way, the next few weeks promise high‑octane cricket, strategic tweaks, and a clear test of where West Indies cricket stands on the global ladder.